Lara's POV
The tension in the SUV felt thick enough to cut with a knife as we approached my father's territory. My stomach twisted with dread because I knew exactly what kind of man he was. He would never surrender his position without bloodshed. The question burning in my mind was whether he would force me to kill him to claim what was rightfully mine.
Austin's fingers intertwined with mine before he lifted my hand to his lips. The warmth of his mouth against my skin sent waves of calm through my frayed nerves. Words weren't necessary between us anymore. Our mental bond allowed him to feel every worry racing through my thoughts.
His presence in my mind felt like an anchor in a storm. I had never experienced anything like this connection before, never even knew such steadiness existed. Now that we were linked, the idea of being separated from his consciousness felt unbearable.
